PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

QUARTER 4 - LECTURES

Research Methodology is the third chapter (CHAPTER III) of a research paper. It includes
the research designs, locale of the study, respondents/participants of the study, sampling
technique, research instrument, data gathering procedures and analysis procedures.

PARTS:
Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a
researcher. The design allows researchers to hone in on research methods that are suitable for
the subject matter and set up their studies up for success.

/ Data Gathering Method

 LESSON 1
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS
Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a
researcher. The design allows researchers to hone in on research methods that are suitable for
the subject matter and set up their studies up for success.
If you already have an idea as to what design is applicable in your research, you have to finalize in mind the
following:
1. What is the purpose of your research based on the research design?
2. What are the philosophical bases of your study?
3. What type of data is applicable in your research?
4. What is the method to be used in analyzing your data?

What are the types of Qualitative Research Designs?

a. Ethnography
This is a qualitive method often used in the social sciences particularly in
anthropology and in sociology. It is often employed in gathering data on human society to
describe culture like origin, values, and roles in a particular group. Data collection in this
type of design is done through observation, interview and questionnaires.

b. Phenomenology
Phenomenology is a 20th century philosophical movement dedicated to describing the
structure of experience as they present themselves to consciousness, without resource to
theory and assumptions from other disciplines. It focuses on the lived experience for several
individuals. Its purpose is to rigorously understand the phenomenon by systematic
examination and describe the essence of lived experience.

c. Grounded Theory
Grounded theory is an inductive technique developed for health-related topics by
Glaser and Strauss. It emerged from the discipline of sociology. The term grounded means
that the theory developed from the research has its roots from the data where it was derived.

d. Historical Research
This refers to the systematic collection and objective evaluation of data related to past
occurrence in order to test the hypothesis concerning causes, effects that help to explain
present events and anticipate future events. Its purpose is to make people aware of what has
happened in the past to learn of pasts failures and successes; to learn how things were done
in the past to see if such are applicable for the present; to understand education practices and
policies and to test hypothesis concerning relationships or trends.

e. Case Study
This research design is a useful tool for investigating trends and scientific situations in
many scientific disciplines especially social sciences, psychology, anthropology, and
ecology. This method of study is useful for trying to test theoretical models by using them in
real world situations. It is an exploration of a bounded system or a case over time through
detailed data collection involving multiple sources of information within a context. Data
collection strategies involve observations, interviews, documents, archival records and
participant observation.

LESSON 2
SAMPLING PROCEDURE AND SAMPLE
TYPES OF SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
 PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
QUARTER 4 - LECTURES
LESSON 3
THE DATA AND DATA COLLECTION

In this lesson, we are going to know what data is and how to collect data. In qualitative research, it is important
to gather relevant data so that there will be meaningful analysis in your research study.
What is data?
Your data is all the information that you will gather throughout your research.
How do we collect our qualitative data?
One way to collect qualitative data is to gather your data from different sources of information. Some of these
sources can include books, encyclopedias, websites and first-hand information from people.

There are two classifications of data based on their use and source.
1. PRIMARY DATA- it refers to first-hand information based on actual experiences or observations. This kind of
data is more reliable to use because it is gathered by actual researchers. Say you want to ask people in the
community if they agree to a certain law that is being implemented by the local government. Their answers can
be considered as primary data.
Examples of primary data includes: data taken personally through interview, personally observing
people to get visual data.

2. SECONDARY DATA - are data that are gathered from secondary sources, meaning it is not you that have
obtained the information but rather, it comes from previous research, audio recordings or books. One advantage
of secondary data is that it is readily available to use, comparing it to primary data where you have to gather the
information yourself.
Examples of secondary data includes: information from your barangay census on the number of
population in the area.

1. Interview
Steps For An Effective Interview
• Prepare interview schedule
• Select subjects/ key Respondent
• Conduct the interview
• Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview
Steps for an Effective Observation
• Determine what needs to be observed
• Select participants
• Random/Selected
• Conduct the observation (venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs)
• Compile data collected
• Analyze and interpret data collected

Steps For an Effective Questionnaire

• Prepare questions (Formulate & choose types of questions, order them, write instructions, make copies)
• Select your respondents (Random/Selected)
• Administer the questionnaire (date, venue, time)
• Tabulate data collected
• Analyze and interpret data collected

There are several steps in the observation process as discussed by Creswell (2007).
 Select where you want to conduct your observation. This can be a classroom, community or a home where you
want to observe the different behavior of the participants for your research. To do this, you need to make a
communication letter to the concerned authorities so that you will be allowed to have access to a particular
place of observation.

 Note: it is important to ask permission to who is in-charge of a particular place where you will conduct your
observation. Some places may not allow you to take pictures or record videos, therefore, it is important to write
a formal letter to avoid unnecessary problems.

 Find the means to gather your observed data. This can include recording devices like cameras or phones or the
more traditional recording devices like taking down notes on what you, as the researcher, have observed first-
hand.

 Take your time to write down the important details. You may be overwhelmed by the number of things that you
will be observing. Try to focus on the important details that relate to your research question. Make sure that you
have your field notes with you where you will need to write the things that can be useful for your research.

 What kind of observation will you be using? Will it be a naturalistic observation? Non-naturalistic? Or
participative observation? You need to have a clear indication of what will be your role as an observer.

 Politely thank the participants.

How do we conduct a proper interview?

 Find out what type of interview you will be using. If you think that there is still a lack of data from your
observation, try to find out if you may need to use other interview methods so that you can gather more
information for your research. You may choose to use either structured, unstructured, or semi-structured
interview.

 Secure a letter of communication to the people that you want to interview. With the same protocol for the
observation method, you need to have a formal letter asking for permission to conduct an interview with the
participants.
  Make sure that you have your interview questions. Do not forget to prepare your guide questions before
conducting a proper interview. These guide questions should be based on your research questions so that you
can get all the information that you will need for your study.

 Have the right equipment. Make sure that you have audio recording devices that are fully charged. You cannot
take note of every answer of the participants so it’s better to have devices that can record the exact answer of
your participant.
 Let the participant choose where they want the interview to be conducted.
 Politely thank the participants afterwards. How to establish a good relationship and communication with your
participants?
 Treat your participants with respect.
 Wear a proper formal outfit during the interview.
 Maintain eye contact and do not be afraid to engage in a conversation with your participant.
 Do not ask personal questions that are not related to your research.
 Do not forget to thank them for their time and participation.

When interviewing people, you may use the following guide:
1. Employ purposive sampling in choosing the group of respondents.
2. Invite the groups of respondents in advance.
3. Send the information sheet and consent form to the respondents.
4. Set the time and venue of the interview.
5. Set up the technical support like video recordings, camera, projector, etc.
6. Provide refreshments for the participants and offer them traveling expenses, if needed.
7. Provide the proper orientation about the interview to the participants.
8. Explain the objective or purpose of the research study and the interview process.
9. Develop and use the interview guide with open-ended questions.
10. In focus group interviews, you may ask further questions, clarify issues, or give unclear responses.

How to Record the Interview?

1. Taking notes
2. Audio recordings
3. Video recordings

Other ways to interview.

1. Telephone interviews
2. Video link interviews like Skype, etc.
3. Audio link like VoIP, etc.
4. Email

Advantages
Interviews are good at dealing with topics in depth and in detail.
1. Interviews are flexible.
2. Interviews tend to prefer a conversation to a dry questionnaire.
1. Interviews are time-consuming.

Disadvantages
2. Interviews can be unreliable or misleading.
3. Interviews require good social skills
4. Interviews are not appropriate for generalizing.
-END OF LESSON 3-